There’s a special place in Montgomery County where opportunity, support, and hope are fostered each day. A place where personal struggles are being transformed into proud achievements, and where self- limitations are blooming into boundless possibilities. Montco Happening is honored to introduce our readers to Hedwig House Inc., a local mental health organization in operation since 1975. With the guidance, support and direction of Lois Jahsmann, Patricia Kind, and Naomi Dank, Hedwig House was created with a program focused on the housing needs of individuals with mental illness in Norristown, PA. It has since evolved into comprehensive, client-centered programming offering psychiatric rehabilitation and rental subsidy services throughout Montgomery County. Now with four locations in Lansdale, Colmar, Abington and Blue Bell, this non-profit community organization has provided the means to a better life for hundreds of residents living with mental illness in our local area. Through psychiatric rehabilitation services, vocational training, fellowship, and housing assistance, Hedwig House is able to bring a new level of hope to those who believed it was lost.
The mission of Hedwig House is to provide support and assistance to individuals with mental illness in pursuit of their own independence and personal fulfillment. They offer comprehensive support to people whose accomplishments and quality of life have been challenged by mental illness. Services provided by Hedwig House are designed to assist individuals as they pursue their goals, which encompass a variety of areas. This kind of professional aid is supported through the generosity of 
foundations and individuals who rally behind their mission. Hedwig House Inc. is a non-profit organization working with the Montgomery County Office of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and Magellan Health Services.
Our local community would be amazed to see the level of success resulting from the psychiatric rehabilitation services provided by Hedwig House. Individuals who have sought services through Hedwig House are getting jobs, going to school, and moving into their own apartments. One gentleman in particular had always dreamed of working with the police/fire department but his mental illness limited that dream from becoming a reality. After his time with the caring staff at Hedwig House, this young man is now living that dream working as a volunteer at the Norristown Police Department in Montgomery County! That’s just one example of how this organization is helping change the lives of people who would otherwise continue to suffer without professional help. Driven by self-motivation and supported by a personal psychiatric rehabilitation program, these individuals are now living life in a way they never thought possible.
Over 450 million people are currently suffering from some form of mental illness. To further explain its unbiased reach, 1 in every 4 adults and 1 in every 5 children will feel the devastating effects of mental health issues this year alone. Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Eating Disorders, these are just a handful of illnesses gripping the lives of so many in our world today. That’s an enormous percentage of our population that is lacking the help, compassion, and level of public understanding they need in order to grow.
Despite the overwhelming numbers of those afflicted with mental illness, it is still one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized health conditions prevalent in our world today. Hedwig House is well aware of these looming social issues which is why they work so hard to combat them with events promoting community outreach and public awareness.
Hedwig House has helped raise an incredible amount of public awareness on mental health in and around Montgomery County. One pivotal way they are able to accomplish this is through local fundraising events happening throughout the year. If you’d like to learn more information about mental health, Hedwig House is the perfect place to start. Check out their latest Blog Post on breaking down the stigmas attached to those suffering from mental illness!
Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Hedwig House offers 2 Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services:
H.O.P.E. Academy (Housing-Occupation-Personal-Education)
A licensed program serving young adults ages 18 to 30. In this program, participants choose a specific goal in one of the life domains (living, learning, working, social). This goal then becomes the cornerstone of his or her recovery-focused service. Participants take part in classes, individual practitioner meetings, and community exploration related to his/her recovery goal (a commitment of 5 hours per week). Class sizes are limited to allow for focused work among participants.
P.R.E.P. (Psychiatric Rehabilitation Education Program)
In this program, participants choose goals in their living, learning, working, and social environments. The focus is on individual functional skill development, enhancement, retention, and transference to real life tasks and settings. Services are provided on an individual and group basis.
- Central to Psychiatric Rehabilitation, the Hedwig House beliefs are as follows:
-People with serious and persistent mental illness can recover
-Recovery is defined by the individual
-The value of self-determination is empowering
-The right mixture of skills and support fosters achievement
Special Housing Services
Hedwig House Special Housing Services work in conjunction with Montgomery County Office of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities as well as Montgomery County’s “Your Way Home.” Through rental subsidy programs, Special Housing Services enable individuals with mental illness and families to find and maintain safe and affordable housing. If you need assistance, please contact Your Way Home.
Show Your Support Today!
Hedwig House is thankful for everyone who has helped support their organization. It’s your direct involvement that has helped them provide the necessary care to individuals suffering from a mental illness.
Please consider making a gift at one of the following levels, which will help achieve immediate and tangible results:
Visit Hedwig House’s Donations Page for more information on how you can start making a difference for one of Montco’s most nurturing charities. Your generosity will support Montgomery County residents in taking the next steps toward their own personal fulfillment.
Summer Happy Hour at the Farmer’s Daughter Restaurant
Join Hedwig House and our local community for a night of amazing food and drinks at the Farmer’s Daughter Restaurant at Normandy Farm. The event will take place on June 21st from 5-7pm. During that time, 10% of the proceeds from all food and drinks will be donated to Hedwig House. If you’re looking for a night out come and stop by, you’ll have a great time and will be helping your community in the process!
(For more information, email Molly Hampson; mollyhampson@hedwighouse.org)
Spotlight On Mental Health: 4th Annual Fundraiser at the Talamore Country Club
One of the most important events for the Hedwig House is their annual fundraiser designed to help raise community support and most importantly, public awareness! The 4th annual Hedwig House Fundraiser offers all guests a more in depth look at what they do, who they are, and how your support is helping them continue their mission. The annual Fundraiser will be take place from 6:30-9:30pm on Friday, November 11th at the Talamore Country Club.
(For more information, email Molly Hampson; mollyhampson@hedwighouse.org)
***To be eligible to participate, individuals must be a resident of Montgomery County, age 18 or older and have a primary diagnosis of mental illness. Hedwig House does not discriminate against any person for any reason including race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap or sex.***
The Hedwig House was also voted a Finalist Winner as one of the BEST Charities in Montco’s 2016 Happening List!
~Sponsored~
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